Preview — Marathon
by Brian Freeman

Marathon

On a rainy June morning, tens of thousands of people crowd into Duluth for the city’s biggest annual event: the Duluth Marathon. Exhausted runners push to reach the finish line and spectators line the streets to cheer them on. Then, in a terrifying echo of the Boston bombing, there is an explosion along the race course, leaving many people dead and injured.

Within minutes,On a rainy June morning, tens of thousands of people crowd into Duluth for the city’s biggest annual event: the Duluth Marathon. Exhausted runners push to reach the finish line and spectators line the streets to cheer them on. Then, in a terrifying echo of the Boston bombing, there is an explosion along the race course, leaving many people dead and injured.

Within minutes, Jonathan Stride, Serena Dial, and Maggie Bei are at work with the FBI to find the terrorists behind the tragedy. As social media feeds a flood of rumors and misinformation, one spectator remembers being jostled by a young man with a backpack not far from the bomb site. He spots a Muslim man in a tourist’s photo of the event and is convinced that this was the man who bumped into him in the crowd–but now the man’s backpack is missing.

When he tweets the photo to the public, the young man, Khan Rashid, becomes the most wanted man in the city. And the manhunt is on.

But are the answers behind the Duluth bombing more complex than anyone realizes? And can Stride, Serena, and Maggie find the truth before more innocent people are killed?...more

Yes, there is a bombing at a marathon, like in Boston.Yes, the characters discuss Boston a little bit.

I don't know how much Boston affected you personally, but when I was reading the book, I wasn't thinking "Boston" (the bombing at the Boston Marathon) every step of the way. I also dont really know what you think when you think "Boston", so I am unable to tell you what you will think while reading this book.

I was, however, thinking terrorism, religious beliefs, prejudices, and fears while reading this book. Its a good story. You get multiple perspectives, and reactions to the bombing. I am not going to give away any plot here.(less)

Jan WorsterI think you can. The first Johnathan Stride book I read was #9, Alter Ego. It was so good, I had to start with #1 so I could learn the history between…moreI think you can. The first Johnathan Stride book I read was #9, Alter Ego. It was so good, I had to start with #1 so I could learn the history between Serena, Maggie, Cat & Stride. Now I’m caught up and wish #10 was done! Each book was exciting, surprising and suspenseful with twists and turns. Enjoy!(less)

Community Reviews

A bomb explodes at the Duluth Marathon and a Muslim man is publicly accused. Ugh. Do I really want to read this?

I suspect that's what many readers will think. Don't give up on it! Yes, it has a message that's important. Yes, it may make you uncomfortable and perhaps angry. But this is a well-written story. It's a mix of current events and feelings sensitively handled along side the investigation into the crime by Jonathan Stride and crew. It feels to me that Brian Freeman put his heart and soulA bomb explodes at the Duluth Marathon and a Muslim man is publicly accused. Ugh. Do I really want to read this?

I suspect that's what many readers will think. Don't give up on it! Yes, it has a message that's important. Yes, it may make you uncomfortable and perhaps angry. But this is a well-written story. It's a mix of current events and feelings sensitively handled along side the investigation into the crime by Jonathan Stride and crew. It feels to me that Brian Freeman put his heart and soul into this book, and I say, "Well done, Mr. Freeman."...more

As a Brian Freeman fan who has cheered on family members at Duluth’s Grandma’s Marathon numerous times over the years, I was thrilled to pick up my reserved copy of Marathon from the public library. I’ve sweated by the lake in 80-degree sunshine, a rare occurrence anytime in Duluth, even in mid-June. I’ve encouraged racers in wheelchairs and half-marathoners as I hung out with relatives near the polka band on Superior Street downtown. I’ve shivered in chilly 50-degree drizzle at the finish lineAs a Brian Freeman fan who has cheered on family members at Duluth’s Grandma’s Marathon numerous times over the years, I was thrilled to pick up my reserved copy of Marathon from the public library. I’ve sweated by the lake in 80-degree sunshine, a rare occurrence anytime in Duluth, even in mid-June. I’ve encouraged racers in wheelchairs and half-marathoners as I hung out with relatives near the polka band on Superior Street downtown. I’ve shivered in chilly 50-degree drizzle at the finish line on Canal Park, which is where Marathon bursts into action.

It is a familiar scene. Large crowds. Balloons. Thousands of runners spread out over the 26.2-mile course against the backdrop of mighty Lake Superior. Police and security personnel lining the streets. Suddenly, another all-too-familiar scene, a scene much like Boston. A terrible explosion. Spectators and runners falling, bodies hurled to the pavement, some with limbs shredded or severed from their torsos. Human beings lying injured, dying, or already dead. I can tell you this: I felt like I was right there at the “Duluth Marathon.” I felt like it really happened, and it gave me the willies.

Lieutenant Stride, his wife Serena, and his partner, Officer Maggie Bei are in the thick of things. Maggie and Stride were on-site when the bombing occurred, and Serena had just completed the race. Police clear the area as emergency personnel rush in to treat and evacuate the wounded.

Immediate thoughts turn to terrorism. In the minds of many, “terrorism” equals Islamic radicalism. With Dawn Basch, an extreme right-wing activist, in town speak to like-minded followers, the city had already been on edge. Their hashtag is #no exceptions. According to Basch, free speech is free speech. “No ifs, ands, or buts. No exceptions.” When Stride spots a guy from Cloquet, which happens to be my hometown, wearing a "no exceptions" button, I got the shivers. Yes, the young men who planted the backpack loaded with explosives in Boston were Muslim, as have been many suicide bombers and drivers in cities around the world. As I was reading this work of fiction, a van crashed through a crowded street in Barcelona killing more than a dozen people and injuring many more. The next day in Cambrils, another one, probably related to the deadly Barcelona event. ISIS has claimed responsibility. Over the past year, Brussels, Paris, London...But, last weekend, a white supremacist smashed through a crowd with his vehicle killing a young woman at an “alt-right” march in Charlottesville, Virginia. No, he wasn’t Muslim. But Dawn Basch’s people can’t open their minds to the idea that those who commit terrorist acts are a small minority who are denounced by faithful Islamic people. Basch and her ilk only see one possibility: “Islam is murder.”

Enter the FBI and a locally grown agent, Gayle Durkin, because a bombing at a marathon has to be considered a possible terrorist action. Durkin has been relegated to desk duty for the past year, but now she is assigned to the bombing case because she’s a native of Duluth and knows the area. She has personality flaws and baggage that she hasn’t figured out how to overcome, but she swears she can put it aside and do her job. I didn’t find her all that likable, which was intentional on Freeman’s part, but Stride is a veteran cop and he knows how to handle her.

Marathon is billed as a Stride mystery, but this story is as much about the young man at the center of the firestorm, Khan Rashid. An American man of Pakistani heritage, he becomes a suspect when a spectator comes forward, saying he was rudely bumped by a Muslim with a backpack while he was watching the race near the finish line. He identifies Khan. He’s 100% certain, he says. Soon all of Duluth is looking for Khan Rashid, and as a reader, I just knew this was headed for disaster.

Freeman does a masterful balancing act, shuttling from the investigation to Khan and his family to Serena and the seventeen-year-old street-savvy girl, Cat, who now lives with Stride and Serena It’s a police procedural in some respects; it’s also a reflection of our world today with its prejudice, fears, hatred, and danger. It poses some questions: What is loyalty? How far would you go to help a friend? It almost goes without saying that this is a very timely piece of work, a time when racism and xenophobia clash with the Constitution. People across the world struggle with issues of how to trust those whom they perceive as different. Brian Freeman weaves all of this into his mystery. The resolution of this sad, sorry series of events may surprise you. Or not. The answers that he, Maggie, Serena, and even Agent Gayle Durkin find seem plausible in this world where violence is too often seen as the only way to solve problems. These officers, and even young Cat, have shown again that there is hope for fairness, truth, and mature judgment.

Marathon is not a political novel, but its themes, its mood, and its spirit reflects the dis-ease, the concern, and the hunger for unity that many throughout the US and the world are feeling these days. No exceptions? How about this: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...” No ands, ifs, or buts. No exceptions.

A marathon with hundreds of weary runners getting close to the finish line ... thousands of spectators cheering on their families and friends ... and an explosion that leaves many people dead or injured. Very reminiscent of the Boston Marathon .. but this is where this story takes a turn.

Jonathan and Serena Stride join forces with the FBI to find the people responsible for the bombing. One spectator swears he saw the man responsible, a young Muslim man with a backpack. Within moments, people areA marathon with hundreds of weary runners getting close to the finish line ... thousands of spectators cheering on their families and friends ... and an explosion that leaves many people dead or injured. Very reminiscent of the Boston Marathon .. but this is where this story takes a turn.

Jonathan and Serena Stride join forces with the FBI to find the people responsible for the bombing. One spectator swears he saw the man responsible, a young Muslim man with a backpack. Within moments, people are on the hunt ... and the Muslim community becomes the target of many people.

But this is not a story just about the victims in the race, it is the story of a young man who was singled out and hunted because he is Muslim. Khan Rashid runs for his life ... but is he an innocent caught up in the chaos ...or is he guilty of killing other innocents?

Add to the mix a woman who incites hate and anger in an entire community strictly because of her prejudice. Also add to the mix an FBI Agent whose brother was killed a year earlier by a Muslim terrorist. Can these women put aside their personal feelings and get to the truth?

It's an action-packed, fast paced thought-provoking story. Jonathan Stride, once again, in thrown in the middle of a storm, not of his own choosing. He has a city to protect ... a family to protect. He even has a suspect he must protect.

I have followed this author and this series for several years. Brian Freeman has become one of my vary favorites. It is not mandatory, but I highly recommend starting at the very beginning.

Many thanks to the author who provided a digital copy of MARATHON. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own....more

When you have a story whose plot is based on the prejudice and hate of one woman who incites hate and anger in an entire community, I simply can't like it! And when the story bears a strong "resemblance" to the Boston Marathon bombing and one of the main characters makes reference to not being able to find a lost boy (definite reference to the Jacob Wetterling disappearance, especially since that story takes place in Minnesota) it makes me feel the author is not creative enough to come up with aWhen you have a story whose plot is based on the prejudice and hate of one woman who incites hate and anger in an entire community, I simply can't like it! And when the story bears a strong "resemblance" to the Boston Marathon bombing and one of the main characters makes reference to not being able to find a lost boy (definite reference to the Jacob Wetterling disappearance, especially since that story takes place in Minnesota) it makes me feel the author is not creative enough to come up with an original story line. I listened to the whole story on audio CD, but found myself just hating the antagonist in this story so much that I couldn't wait to finish. 1 out of 10....more

I normally give out stars based on whether a book is good or bad. And this one is good. But I jumped it up from a 4 to a 5 star because it's also important. You don't see that a lot in this genre.

I'll also admit I almost skipped this entry in the series because of the topic. And I almost put it down a few pages in for that and the use of "Tweets" in the narrative. I'm very glad I kept on though.

Freeman tackles some difficult topics that matter right now and he does so very delicately. He doesnI normally give out stars based on whether a book is good or bad. And this one is good. But I jumped it up from a 4 to a 5 star because it's also important. You don't see that a lot in this genre.

I'll also admit I almost skipped this entry in the series because of the topic. And I almost put it down a few pages in for that and the use of "Tweets" in the narrative. I'm very glad I kept on though.

Freeman tackles some difficult topics that matter right now and he does so very delicately. He doesn't play all sides but he does acknowledge each side has their points. In one place he acknowledges the kernel of truth in the opposing viewpoint and the statement has gravity because it comes from his hero character Jonathan Stride who has earned the readers trust.

The book has the usual crimes and police work and the late twist that's become something of a standard in Freeman's books. It has the cast we've come to love. This book is set apart by its depth though.

Social media witch hunts. Terrorism. Media Evangelists. The Islamic Faith. The Christian Faith. Vigilantism. Mob justice. Fear mongering. Extremisms...and how they all relate to police work. You'll get it all.

Freeman does a superb job of drawing out these issues and presenting them from different points of view. There's empathy for everyone--almost.

I highly recommend this book. Even if you've never read a book in this series you'll enjoy it and have no issues catching up (Freeman gives brief but full background on all the regulars).

Freeman took some risks on this one and they pay off big time. He's smart enough not to preach but to present. I don't know that he'll reach anyone firmly on the other side, but he more than meets them in the middle with this story and gives lots of reason for thought and compassion.

Brian Freeman is one of my favorite authors, not only is he a fantastic writer but he is also from my home state of Minnesota. Marathon is the 8th book in the Jonathan Stride series. The Stride series takes place in Duluth, Mn on Lake Superior. Being on Lake Superior the city has very brutal winters, but the summers are beautiful. 42 years ago Grandmas Marathon was started and it is now a respected race known around the world. Dulthians are very proud to have this race in their city.Marathon isBrian Freeman is one of my favorite authors, not only is he a fantastic writer but he is also from my home state of Minnesota. Marathon is the 8th book in the Jonathan Stride series. The Stride series takes place in Duluth, Mn on Lake Superior. Being on Lake Superior the city has very brutal winters, but the summers are beautiful. 42 years ago Grandmas Marathon was started and it is now a respected race known around the world. Dulthians are very proud to have this race in their city.Marathon is a very fast paced, exciting book. This book touches on some very pertinent topics of our time: social media, stereotyping certain ethnic groups, bombs, hateful vengeance. Brian writes with such emotion that I actually, sadly felt that this story was really happening. There were several times throughout the book that I got so teary eyed I had to stop reading until my eyes cleared up.I definitely recommend this book, not just because it's a Brian Freeman book, but because of the delicate subject matter Brian has covered....more

This was a taut, finely crafted, page-turner. It was Brian Freeman good, and that's very good, indeed. Freeman checks all the boxes again. We have likable, capable married protagonists Duluth cops Jonathan and Serena Stride, sharp plotting with steadily building tension, compelling supporting cast characters who are a mixed bag from innocent victims to vile to depraved. And we have a huge dose of political and cultural clashes that mirror our divided country today. The plot is torn right from ouThis was a taut, finely crafted, page-turner. It was Brian Freeman good, and that's very good, indeed. Freeman checks all the boxes again. We have likable, capable married protagonists Duluth cops Jonathan and Serena Stride, sharp plotting with steadily building tension, compelling supporting cast characters who are a mixed bag from innocent victims to vile to depraved. And we have a huge dose of political and cultural clashes that mirror our divided country today. The plot is torn right from our headlines when the annual Duluth Marathon is targeted by an attack--an exploding backpack that kills and maims a number of people. And like the actual Boston Marathon bombing, the search soon narrows down to a search for a Muslim man as the main suspect. The problem is this man, as we soon find out, is innocent, but his life is shattered as he fights to survive. Racial hate and religious conflict and bigotry soon comes to a boil as the police and members of the Muslim community work to find the culprit and prevent more bloodshed. A particularly well-done character is a Twitter queen who lives to stir up anti-Muslim sentiment and ruthlessly and dangerously turns up the volume with rallies and hateful tweet after tweet. The parallels between our own sharply divided country and the power of social media are sharply drawn, and provides a mirror of our own reality now. The results are gratifying as a work of fiction, but so very heartbreaking when we see this story being played out for real every day with real blood and real tragedy. If only life could work out as satisfactorily as most mysteries, with evil punished and the innocent receiving at least some justice....more

The title of Brian Freeman’s great new novel. MARATHON is deceiving. Once you start you will sprint through the pages to find out who committed a heinous and topical crime. As Dick Wolf, the prolific creator of shows like LAW AND ORDER, says Marathon is “ripped from the headlines.” As the title suggests, Duluth, Minnesota is hosting its annual marathon when a bomb explodes, injuring and killing countless bystanders and race participants. The F.B.I. and Lieutenant Johnathon Stride of the Duluth PThe title of Brian Freeman’s great new novel. MARATHON is deceiving. Once you start you will sprint through the pages to find out who committed a heinous and topical crime. As Dick Wolf, the prolific creator of shows like LAW AND ORDER, says Marathon is “ripped from the headlines.” As the title suggests, Duluth, Minnesota is hosting its annual marathon when a bomb explodes, injuring and killing countless bystanders and race participants. The F.B.I. and Lieutenant Johnathon Stride of the Duluth P.D. is tasked with finding and capturing the perp of this ugly and death-dealing crime. Their investigation centers on the Muslim community. We ride long as various elements of the intriguing and captivating investigation unwrap. Freeman portrays a community torn apart by politics, prejudice, and terror. MARATHON is a fascinating, captivating, and involving thriller/procedural that unquestionably merits the few days that it will take to finish. ...more

Detective Jonathan Stride's city of Duluth, Minnesota hosts a 26 mile marathon. His wife Serena is running in the race. As runners are crossing the finish line, a bomb detonates. People are killed, maimed. Someone with a backpack bumps into a spectator and he is sure the man is Muslim, which generates fear and anger within the city. The FBI is brought in and the lead agent's brother was killed in a previous ISIS attack. Stride attempts to rationally investigate the case, locate the bomber, and pDetective Jonathan Stride's city of Duluth, Minnesota hosts a 26 mile marathon. His wife Serena is running in the race. As runners are crossing the finish line, a bomb detonates. People are killed, maimed. Someone with a backpack bumps into a spectator and he is sure the man is Muslim, which generates fear and anger within the city. The FBI is brought in and the lead agent's brother was killed in a previous ISIS attack. Stride attempts to rationally investigate the case, locate the bomber, and provide a voice of reason in a city in the midst of angst.

This story is extremely powerful and gets better as the book progresses. Freeman hits some very serious subjects of terrorism, suicide bombings, Muslims, instigators of violence, viral tweeting, fear, hatred, etc, and he combines all sides very well. ...more

I was a little iffy about the concept: terrorists attack Boston, so Freeman, too late to invent the idea, transports it to Duluth. But I trusted him to give me a twist on the story and he did. It's kind of lose-lose, though. Much of the book is the pursuit of the presumed terrorists. I assumed there would be a twist, so all of that was wasted time. Had there been no twist, it would have been a fictional retelling of Boston, a sure-fire disappointment.To keep the fake terrorist-tension going, StrI was a little iffy about the concept: terrorists attack Boston, so Freeman, too late to invent the idea, transports it to Duluth. But I trusted him to give me a twist on the story and he did. It's kind of lose-lose, though. Much of the book is the pursuit of the presumed terrorists. I assumed there would be a twist, so all of that was wasted time. Had there been no twist, it would have been a fictional retelling of Boston, a sure-fire disappointment.To keep the fake terrorist-tension going, Stride and the other police are selectively smart. When the terrorist kills a police officer in a shootout, nobody will say 'it looks like he's a killer'. Surprise, he didn't really kill the officer. Freeman gives away the plot every time his best characters speak: they've all read the book so they don't jump to conclusions that will eventually turn out false.I did not like Freeman's handling of terrorism. Here, the bomb kills and maims people. Then there are immediately retaliatory murders, sparked by an Islamaphobe. Freeman sells us on each character and their motivation for mass murder, but still I didn't buy it. The overall message is: as soon as there's one killing, it'll be the Hatfields and McCoys for revenge after revenge.Freeman is the Overlord of Overwriting. This spills into the plot at the end; the killer is revealed and then the cops find his bomb factory, fully stocked with the makings of dozens more. This they don't question, even though it's unbelievably stupid for a killer who covered his tracks brilliantly at every stage. Also, the killer had NO REASON TO EVER USE A SECOND BOMB. It's like the master burglar inside the Tower of London, successfully stealing the crown jewels, leaving his business card holding the lock open IN CASE HE WANTS TO COME BACK. Dumb, dumb, dumb, both the action and the idea. And, for Freeman's work, utterly unnecessary: the killer had been identified by motive and opportunity.Prose: Freeman likes short, snappy sentences. A lot. When he writes. His books. But it starts to wear; not everything needs maximum tension. And it makes his overwriting, where he belabors a point to death, even worse. Here's a snippet from the book, Serena visiting the Marathon's HQ. '... she found a somber mood among the handful of staff . . .' [Really? Just because a bomb killed a bunch of people?] 'The days following the marathon would normally be a time for celebration, but the tragedy had cast a pall over this year's event.'Sigh. I fear Freeman is too popular now to be subjected to better editing. Hopefully he's done with terrorism. ...more

People have gathered in Duluth Minnesota for the city’s biggest event: Grandma’s Marathon. But just as the runners are heading to the finish line a bomb goes off just like at the Boston bombing. Someone was bumped into by a Muslim man with a backpack. His picture is found and posted on Twitter. Within minutes all Middle Eastern men are targeted. Then he is discovered and people jump to the conclusion that he is the cause of the bombing. But then the witness thinks he may have made an error. By tPeople have gathered in Duluth Minnesota for the city’s biggest event: Grandma’s Marathon. But just as the runners are heading to the finish line a bomb goes off just like at the Boston bombing. Someone was bumped into by a Muslim man with a backpack. His picture is found and posted on Twitter. Within minutes all Middle Eastern men are targeted. Then he is discovered and people jump to the conclusion that he is the cause of the bombing. But then the witness thinks he may have made an error. By then it’s too late the change the rolling force of vengeful people that have no desire to look at the truth especially when more victims are discovered. It’s up to Jonathan and his team to find the truth before an innocent man get blamed.

This is my first Jonathan Stride book and I was pleasantly surprised. This is a story right out of the headlines and written in such a way to make you think twice about events on social media. It’s is written so well that you feel just like you discovered the post on your own Twitter page and want to get justice for those injured or killed. But it also shows how easy it is to get the wrong information and how easy it is to blame the wrong person.

There is a lot of action and suspense that will keep you drawn into this story. You will race through the pages and will love the surprising ending. I loved this book and will definitely be catching up on the other Jonathan Stride books.

I received Marathon from Quercus for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book....more

An explosion occurs during the Duluth Marathon along the long course and several are dead, many injured. Maggie, Serena, Cat and Jonathan work with the FBI to find the "terrorists". A man believes that the person who jostled him while he was viewing the race was 100% responsible and, after going through hundreds of photos on the internet, finds him and posts the photo on Twitter. Kahn Rashid, a Muslim, becomes the primary suspect and the public is whipped into a frenzy by a "free speech" activisAn explosion occurs during the Duluth Marathon along the long course and several are dead, many injured. Maggie, Serena, Cat and Jonathan work with the FBI to find the "terrorists". A man believes that the person who jostled him while he was viewing the race was 100% responsible and, after going through hundreds of photos on the internet, finds him and posts the photo on Twitter. Kahn Rashid, a Muslim, becomes the primary suspect and the public is whipped into a frenzy by a "free speech" activist who targets all Muslims in this small city. Many twists and turns occur and the devastation one wrongful "tweet" can cause is frightening. Fast moving and intense, Marathon is very thought provoking....more

An excellent thriller/mystery, well written and riveting, which in and of itself makes it a 4. So why the 5?Because this book is the proverbial onion. Layers upon layers of plot. And because it's actually important. Every page goes deeper into the ripple effect that one crime has on many peoples' lives. And because it's topical. This book couldnt present a starker portrayal of the world we live in today if it tried. Crticisms? OK, the ending was a little pat. Small potatoes. This was a really goAn excellent thriller/mystery, well written and riveting, which in and of itself makes it a 4. So why the 5?Because this book is the proverbial onion. Layers upon layers of plot. And because it's actually important. Every page goes deeper into the ripple effect that one crime has on many peoples' lives. And because it's topical. This book couldnt present a starker portrayal of the world we live in today if it tried. Crticisms? OK, the ending was a little pat. Small potatoes. This was a really good book. ...more

This is a book about an alleged terrorist attack at a marathon in Duluth, MN, a few years AFTER the Boston marathon attack. It deals with the police and FBI investigation into who was responsible for the attack and why and their search for the person(s). It kept me guessing for most of the book. It was a pretty fast read; I couldn't put it down. I like this author and want to look for more of his books, if any, as I really enjoyed it. I like thrillers and this did not disappoint!

Marathon (Jonathan Stride, #8) by Brian Freeman, was more like a ripped from the headlines read. I felt the Islamaphobia to be too close to today’s reality – the hatred, prejudice, use of social media and loss of life was distressing to me. I didn't feel the end of the book, or the identification of the actual bomber justified the overall negativity of the book.

7/6/17 updatePlease note the above comments pertain to the books topic and NOT to the author's personal views or attitudes. I like BriaMarathon (Jonathan Stride, #8) by Brian Freeman, was more like a ripped from the headlines read. I felt the Islamaphobia to be too close to today’s reality – the hatred, prejudice, use of social media and loss of life was distressing to me. I didn't feel the end of the book, or the identification of the actual bomber justified the overall negativity of the book.

7/6/17 updatePlease note the above comments pertain to the books topic and NOT to the author's personal views or attitudes. I like Brian Freeman very much as an author, and although this is a touchy subject matter for his book, I didn't like the way it played out....more

This may be Freeman's best Jonathan Stride yet and that is saying a lot. Don't be put off by the similarities to the Boston Marathon bombing. I think you will understand that he is not copycatting when you get to the finish. I have a very sensitive PC meter and it didn't go off at all during the course of the story. Very realistic, indeed.

First time sampling this author and found the pace and characters interesting. A plot pulled from the front pages only by the fact that there was a bombing at a marathon. A man who was bumped by a foreigner wearing a backpack raised an alarm. Hours of viewing security films isolates a suspect who is then hunted and haunted by hate. What is the truth? Is this another terrorist attack or is there a case of mistaken motive. Read. You will not be sorry.

Just when you think you've figured it out, Freeman throws you another surprise. This was a fun read! Plenty of plot twists, and Freeman telegraphs each one - one after the other - until the last few pages. The REAL truth will come as a total shock! And you'll never expect it! Highly recommended!!

About half way through I was getting quite disappointed. Seemed like it was going to be a politically correct statement. I was wrong. It was a politically accurate statement. And I never saw the ending coming. I have loved every Brian Freeman book I have read, and I will never doubt him again.

Brian Freeman is in my top 5 authors and I always enjoy his mysteries, particularly the Stride series. I was a little concerned that this would just be a replication of what happened in Boston but with Duluth as the backdrop. It ended up being a good mystery with an important and timely look at how stereotyping people and reacting to a stereotype can really do a lot of damage. I really enjoyed it.

It is the annual running of the marathon in Duluth but what should be a joyous event becomes deadly when a bomb explodes. The immediate assumption, promoted by a spectator who swears a Muslim man who bumped into him was the bomber, and an anti-Muslim extremist with a large public following, leads to more deaths. But what is the truth? That’s up to Jonathan Stride and his team to find out.

Freeman has given us a book that couldn’t be more reFirst Sentence: The backpack is proudly made in the USA.

It is the annual running of the marathon in Duluth but what should be a joyous event becomes deadly when a bomb explodes. The immediate assumption, promoted by a spectator who swears a Muslim man who bumped into him was the bomber, and an anti-Muslim extremist with a large public following, leads to more deaths. But what is the truth? That’s up to Jonathan Stride and his team to find out.

Freeman has given us a book that couldn’t be more relevant. It is also a book that can be emotionally painful to read.

Each of the characters comes with baggage which often colors their view and informs their actions. An interesting observation is made as to how young Muslim men can become dissatisfied and, therefore, radicalized—“Drive all day, pray, go to the mosque, share an apartment with four other ex-Pakistanis with similar lives. Looking back on those days, he understood how young men could go wrong. He wasn’t starving, but he had no clear purpose, and the purposeless life yearned for any kind of meaning.”

This is an excellent look at the results of assumptions, ignorance, and prejudice—“A bomb explodes, and Muslims are guilty until proven innocent. …You accuse us of not sharing American values, but at the first sign of trouble, you jettison those values yourself.” As a result, innocent people die. There are lessons to be learned here, including that freedom of speech can be an action with consequences as deadly as a bomb.

“Marathon” may be viewed as political but is, in fact, a highly suspenseful, with strong characters and some very good twists.

When I first heard about the pressure cooker within the first few pages, I wasn't sure I wanted to read, or listen to the audiobook rather, this book. I love the Jonathan Stride series, but despite that I just didn't want to relive the Boston Marathon. However, I'm glad I stayed with the book; a great thriller with some twists as well. Plus, a book that made me take a look inside myself as I straddled the line between both factions of the players. Despite being part of a series, this would be aWhen I first heard about the pressure cooker within the first few pages, I wasn't sure I wanted to read, or listen to the audiobook rather, this book. I love the Jonathan Stride series, but despite that I just didn't want to relive the Boston Marathon. However, I'm glad I stayed with the book; a great thriller with some twists as well. Plus, a book that made me take a look inside myself as I straddled the line between both factions of the players. Despite being part of a series, this would be a great book club reading to generate discussion....more

Bravo, Brian Freeman. You managed to write a brilliant novel with a difficult message that made me cry at the end. It was an emotional rollercoaster all the way through. It's the perfect story for the times we live in. Thank you!

I am at the end of this book, tears clouding my vision. The world right now is full of hate and betrayal. This book highlights the fact that the things we are exposed to, that, we need to take a closer look at the reality of the situation. Brian, thank you for a well written book. I have read all your books to date and looking forward to your next amazing novel.!!!

When a bomb explodes at the finish line of the Duluth marathon, just like Boston, terrorists are immediately blamed. The situation is inflamed by the twitter feed of Dawn Basch, the national head of an anti-Muslim/free speech group called "No Exceptions." Her tweets finger an innocent cab driver and soon mob justice and retaliation mentality are growing quickly. But Stride, Serena and Maggie, along with the FBI, are charged with finding the truth, no matter where it leads.

Wow! This was hard to pWhen a bomb explodes at the finish line of the Duluth marathon, just like Boston, terrorists are immediately blamed. The situation is inflamed by the twitter feed of Dawn Basch, the national head of an anti-Muslim/free speech group called "No Exceptions." Her tweets finger an innocent cab driver and soon mob justice and retaliation mentality are growing quickly. But Stride, Serena and Maggie, along with the FBI, are charged with finding the truth, no matter where it leads.

Wow! This was hard to put down. As the reader, you can clearly see how one person's actions under the guise of free speech can incite violence. One quote that will stay with me is when Stride is talking to the leader of the local Islamic center with whom he had formed a fragile relationship and he says, "Building trust between us isn't a sprint, it's a marathon."

This is a great series and Marathon just may be the best book yet....more

Brian Freeman is a #1 Amazon bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride, Frost Easton, and Cab Bolton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 20 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots.

Look for two books from Brian in 2017, including THE NIGHT BIRD (featuring a dramBrian Freeman is a #1 Amazon bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride, Frost Easton, and Cab Bolton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 20 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots.

Look for two books from Brian in 2017, including THE NIGHT BIRD (featuring a dramatic San Francisco locale) and the latest in his Jonathan Stride series, MARATHON.

Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.

His novels (in order) are: IMMORAL, STRIPPED, STALKED, IN THE DARK (also called THE WATCHER overseas), THE BURYING PLACE, THE BONE HOUSE, the award-winning SPILLED BLOOD, THE COLD NOWHERE, SEASON OF FEAR, and GOODBYE TO THE DEAD.

He also has two Stride e-books, TURN TO STONE and the short story "Spitting Devil."

You can write to him at brian@bfreemanbooks.com and find him on the web (bfreemanbooks.com), Facebook (facebook.com/bfreemanfans), Twitter (@bfreemanbooks), and Instagram (bfreemanbooks)....more